Changes in General Authority Assignments Made

Changes in the status of seven members of the Quorums of the Seventy and a reorganization of the general presidency of the Sunday School were announced during the Saturday afternoon session of the 165th Semiannual General Conference. In addition, new members of the Presidency of the Seventy were sustained in their callings, which were announced earlier (see Ensign, Sept. 1995, p. 74).

Elder Jack H Goaslind and Elder Harold G. Hillam were sustained as members of the Presidency of the Seventy, replacing Elder Rex D. Pinegar and Elder Charles Didier, who have received area presidency assignments.

Given General Authority emeritus status was Elder Ted E. Brewerton, who was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1978. He has served in a variety of assignments over the years, including, most recently, president of the North America Northwest Area.

Elder Ted E. Brewerton

Also granted emeritus status was Elder Hans B. Ringger, who served in the First Quorum of the Seventy since 1985. A native of Switzerland, Elder Ringger most recently has served as first counselor in the Europe/Mediterranean Area presidency.

Elder Hans B. Ringger

Released from the Second Quorum of the Seventy after completion of five years of service were Elders Eduardo Ayala, LeGrand R. Curtis, Helvécio Martins, J Ballard Washburn, and Durrel A. Woolsey. All five were called to the Seventy on 31 March 1990.

A native of Chile, Elder Ayala has served as a counselor in the South America South Area and South America North Area. Currently he is serving as president of the Santiago Chile Temple.

Elder Eduardo Ayala

Elder Curtis has served as a counselor in the North America Southeast, Europe/ Mediterranean, and North America Northwest Areas. He served in the general presidency of the Young Men organization.

Elder LeGrand R. Curtis

Elder Martins is a native of Brazil and has spent his five years as a Seventy in that country. He served as first and second counselor in the Brazil Area presidency.

Elder Helvécio Martins

Elder Washburn served as counselor in the Utah North, Africa, and Utah Central Areas and in the general presidency of the Sunday School. He is currently serving as the president of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple.

Elder J Ballard Washburn

Elder Woolsey has served in the presidency of the Philippines/Micronesia, North America Northeast, and Utah Central Areas. His most recent assignment was in the presidency of the Pacific Area.

Elder Durrel A. Woolsey

Also sustained were Elder Harold G. Hillam, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, as general president of the Sunday School, with Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy as first counselor and Elder Glenn L. Pace of the Seventy as second counselor. Released were Elder Charles Didier as president, Elder J Ballard Washburn as first counselor, and Elder F. Burton Howard as second counselor.